Mysshkin rape' joke draws heavy flak on social media

The rape of a minor girl in a Chennai apartment complex has put the entire nation into a state of shock, grief and anger. It is believed that as many as 22 men may have brutally raped a 12-year-old hearing-impaired girl for over a period of seven months. Seventeen of the suspects were arrested on Tuesday and taken to court for remand procedures. The lawyers present thrashed the culprits in the court premises. Many celebrities and twittearti took to social media to condemn the heinous act of the gang rapists.

It is against the background of inhuman treatment of women that filmmaker Mysshkin’s rape joke, which came at the audio launch of Mammootty starrer Peranbu, was seen as taking things to a new low.  While praising Mammootty, he casually stated that he would have “raped” the actor if he were a girl. And this angered netizens, more so as it comes from a person who is considered to be a visionary filmmaker.

Addressing a huge gathering, Mysshkin heaped praises on Mammootty’s performance in the film and remarked that even Tamil actors, if cast in place of Mammootty, would not have done justice to the role. Further, in trying to hand more compliments, Mysshkin was seen stepping way over the line in saying “You can keep watching Mammootty sir throughout this film. If he had been younger and he had been a woman, I might have fallen in love with him. Had I been a girl, I’d have raped him actually. Such a fabulous acting.”

Curiously, people present at the event, including many noted film personalities, received the comment with laughter and applause. But his friend and actor Prasanna was among those had slammed the Thupparivaalan director. Prasanna wrote on his social media handle, “Mysshkin is a friend of mine. Yet am disgusted and ashamed of his comments on women and Tamil actors. Can only feel pity for the people who laughed about it.”

Make it death penalty
Talking in the context of the gang rape, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, always quick to raise her voice on social and women’s issues, expressed her views yet again saying death penalty should be the punishment for such a crime as gang rape of a minor girl, that too over an extended period using video shot on mobile as blackmail. She wrote, “Makes me sick to my stomach..Will this barbarism never end..?!? #DeathPenaltyforrape minor or major is the only way to instil fear in demons like these men..so many young lives are being lost n violated cos of these monsters...time for change NOWWW.”

Posting a picture of those who have been arrested in the case, she asked, “Why should u blur the faces of the monsters.. Shame them.. When u bloody raped the girl u didn’t cover ur faces now atleast die in shame..bloody monsters..!!#DeathPenaltyforrape!!!.

Bobbitise them
Echoing similar views actor and filmmaker Parthiban expressed his anger and agony.  He said that rapes or sexual assaults have been happening in some place or other each and every minute.  How to stop and punish these monsters who indulge in such heinous crimes? The only way to penalise is to cut off their p…..s (go Bobbitt way) and death penalty be given.

Anger flows at rapists

KAMAL HAASAN
Let the culprits not be trashed, produce them before law and a quicker and harsher punishment should be given
 
VIJAY SETHUPATHI
It is unimaginable…. raping an eleven year old kid? Having
identified the culprits, what are they (legal) waiting for and why? Give them the punishment then and there without wasting time.

VISHAL - How many more victims should we have to sacrifice to bring death penalty for rape? One more such gruesome incident! Shocked & Angered to know that 17 Crooks have gang raped an innocent Girl Child in Chennai. My Heart goes to such victims who are never safe in our so-called society.
 
RJ BALAJI - What happened to the little girl in Chennai is cruel. As a parent, I feel petrified and unsafe for our children's safety. Not able to imagine the plight of that 12 year old. We live amidst such sick men around us. Please give them the highest punishment. Plz plz Don't let them out in bail. These rapists will walk free, in few weeks join work elsewhere. Serious threat.
 
HARATHI - #DeathPenaltyforrape avvalavu thaan...no arguments no dragging dramas... My heart bleeds for that 12yr old kid... These are mainly due to no fear for law... All 22must be hanged...God kill those satans. Why these 17 morons hide their face? Why cops permits this... Their face must be open to media no covering with cloths... Lawers  those who thrashed them did good job... All 40must be bought in public place... Let's throw stones and kill them
 
JAYAM RAVI - Disgusted yet again. Shocked beyond words to hear its Chennai. This is not my India #DeathPenaltyForRape
 
KASTURI - These are the alleged faces of the dastardly #ChennaiHorror . I am the mother of a 12 year old. My body convulses with fear and shame to imagine such inhumanity. Shame on us all.
 
ARCHANA KALPATHI - Raping a school going disabled child is the lowest of low for this city. These men should be publicly castrated. We are truly living in the age of horror where no one can be trusted and no child is safe.
 
SARATHKUMAR - We need harsher & quicker punishment for all those who are involved in the minor rape case.why can't the judicial system burn their midnight oil & punish them immediately & in PUBLIC, to ensure no such unspeakable crime repeats